BSMG Blog: Protecting the Future of Families and Businesses

Anyone seen Doc Brown’s Delorean Around?

When will this Bull Market end? Short of grabbing a ride in Doc’s time machine, there’s no way to know…but it’s a hot topic right now. Almost every day there seems to be an article prognosticating that “The End is near for the Economic Boom” (Fortune July 19, 2018) or “Here’s why the Dow will hit 40,000 by 2025” (CNBC July 10, 2018).  There are convincing points on both sides for how long our “Bull” will last this time around. Buzzwords abound as well: Ultra-low unemployment, a looming trade war with China, the threat of inflation, persistently low interest rates, another bubble? Here's a question to consider. 

Do you have clients with no plan for long-term care, or a reluctance to plan for the unexpected?

If you've ever found yourself thinking something that starts like this, "I'd sell more life insurance if...", you are not alone. In 2016, we conducted an online survey of insurance and financial professionals that focused on the state of advisor relationships and decision-making criteria regarding their Brokerage Agencies. Hoping to get a better understanding of some of the road blocks insurance advisors face, we asked them to finish the statement "I'd sell more life insurance if..." Below is a compilation of the most common responses we received, coupled with key ways other financial professionals are successfully addressing these road blocks.

This Life Insurance Awareness Month we've been sharing a lot of content with you from Life Happens. As we've mentioned before, this is a great resource for advisors and brokers to use and share with their clients. One of the most powerful ways that Life Happens spreads their message is through video. Their website has a plethora of moving and informative videos that explain the importance of life insurance, long term care and more! 

Share this video with your clients to remind them of the crucial role that life insurance can play in their lives.

Do you have clients with traditional IRAs? Are they close to age 70 or older? If so, you need to read on.

Current tax law requires clients who have an IRA and certain other retirement products to start taking a required minimum distribution (RMD) at the age 70 1/2. These minimum distributions are calculated annually based on their age, account balance at the end of the previous year, marital status and their spouse's age. If they do not take the annual minimum distribution, your clients may be subject to a 50% penalty tax on the underpayment, as well as ordinary income tax, as the funds are withdrawn.

The question we typically hear is, “how can I quickly calculate my clients' RMDs?"

We have the solution! Use our simple interactive calculator to get your clients' projected RMDs. This can be accessed when you need it on our website. All you'll need is the following information from your clients.

In celebration of Life Insurance Awareness Month, we're bringing you the most popular life insurance blogs posted by BSMG! 

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM)! According to Life Happens, the purpose of highlighting life insurance for an entire month is "to make sure Americans are reminded of the need to include life insurance in their financial plans." Each September, Life Happens is joined in this educational initiative by more than 100 of the nation’s leading insurance companies and industry groups.


The number one reason that people purchase life insurance policies is to protect the ones they LOVE. All too often we hear horrible stories of people who unexpectedly pass away and their families are left scrambling. Life insurance can be a difficult topic to talk about but finding the time to discuss it with your clients is so important. Life Happens is a website that advocates for life insurance awareness. They create campaigns that are dedicated to educating people on the important role life insurance can play in their lives. One of these campaigns is "Insure Your Love" and it's a great way for you to start the conversation with your clients!

The Case Challenge:

A 75 yeaIr old gentleman was previously deemed uninsurable by 7 life companies for $9,000,000 of Survivorship coverage due to extensive coronary artery disease history. An initial clinical triage unveiled past inferior and anteroseptal heart attacks, diffuse coronary artery disease, enlarged heart, Stage II chronic kidney disease and a 2012 brain injury.

The LIMRA's 2017 Insurance Barometer Study is available and we bring you the highlights of what our team found most interesting about current consumer behavior. The results are impressive and confirms why you should be including life insurance within your broker services toolkit. 

For the 7th year in row, LIMRA's 2017 Insurance Barometer Study has identified that the most common concern your client has is the ability to afford a comfortable retirement.